The second meeting of families that was organized by Fathers and Sisters of the Charity of the Incarnate Word took place in Russia

Sunday, 02 September 2012, 22:07

Over the period of 23 -26 of August, the second meeting of families, that was organized by Fathers and Sisters of the Charity of the Incarnate Word in the province of Our Lady of Fatima that may be found in Russia, was taking place in Kazan (which is the capital of Tatarstan Republic, Russia). The words of St. Paul the Apostle from the Letter to the Corinthians, mainly “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith”, became the main theme of this year’s meeting. The event, which was dedicated to the Year of Faith and which will start in the Catholic Church in October, was aimed to reflect closely on the precious gift- on what is a belief for each family.

During the meeting, participants each day had the opportunity to take part in the Divine Liturgy, Matins and Vespers, as well as pray the rosary together. In his opening remarks, Father Theodore Matsapula, IW, the main organizer of the meeting, spoke on the topic "The Virtue of Faith: growth and challenges." During the sermons, priests considered the concept of faith, and also stressed the necessity of praying and reading the Holy Scripture within each family as well as living it.

The main guest and speaker at the meeting of families was Halyna Maslennikova, who works in the Family Center at the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow. She brought to light the issues of both: the relationship between man and woman according to God’s plan and the sanctity of human life.

In general, the meeting of families was attended by approximately 80 participants from the parishes of Russia, where Fathers and Sisters of the Incarnate Word serve. Moreover, at the invitation of Father Theodore, 13 participants from Ukraine arrived - those were members of the Third Order of IW, as well as, parents of those Sisters, who serve in Russia.

The hieromonk Teodosiy Savchuk, IW

Reference

In Russia there are 5 Institutes of Fathers of the Incarnate Word, in which 10 priests serve. They operate within 6 parishes: in Kazan’ city, in Omsk city, in Sargats’ke villake (Omsk region), in Luha city (Leningrad region), in Ul’yanovs’k city as well as in Khabarovsk city. Moreover in Russia there are four Institutes of Sisters.